Body

Why Every Superhero Should Buy A Foam Roller

You’ve probably seen an item that looks like a fat pool noodle in your gym. That device is called a foam roller – and you need to get one. It’s cheap, small and most importantly it’s great for you.

Using a foam roller allows you to perform self-myofascial release, AKA self-massage. The myofascia system includes both your muscles and your fascia, the soft protective tissue that supports and protects your muscles. The problem? Due to injury or overuse, your muscles and your fascia can get stuck together and create what’s known as an adhesion. You probably know them as knots.

Unlike stretching, foam rolling lets you target these knots and loosen them by taking advantage of how your muscles work. First, you roll the foam under each muscle group for 20-30 seconds to loosen the muscle. You then press your body onto any sore spots for up to one minute to help break up the fibrous tissue.

But less pain isn’t the only health benefit of using a foam roller! Foam rolling also promotes healthy tissue growth and improves circulation. Because it’s essentially a DIY sports massage, it offers similar benefits like improved flexibility and reduced inflammation. Other benefits include less cellulite and improved range of motion. Finally, foam rolling involves conforming your body into different positions to target specific points. That means you’re strengthening as you stretch.

The other major benefit of a foam roller is its cost-effectiveness. You can buy a foam roller for as little as $15 and never have to shell out for a massage. Plus, one knot causes a muscle imbalance that can increase your risk of injury – so using it regularly could help prevent costly health problems.

Of course, foam rollers have their issues. For one thing, if you’re seriously injured, you still need to go see a doctor. The other major issue is that foam rollers hurt a lot – the way it hurts to massage a knot with your fingers. But that pain means it’s working – and that you probably need to keep going.

The bottom line? Unless you’re seriously injured, a foam roller benefits everybody – from the couch potato to the person who lives at a gym. So if you want to be healthier and feel less muscle pain, you need to buy a foam roller. Just make sure to follow general health concerns:

Talk to your doctor first. Before starting any new exercise regimen, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Chances are, you’ll get the A-OK.

Start slow. Experts recommend using a foam roller every other day for a few weeks. After that, you can start doing it every day.

Combine it with your workouts. Just using a foam roller is effective – but for best results, combine it with your workout as part of a warm-up.

Be careful. Like every exercise, there are things you need to watch out for when foam rolling. Never roll your lower back. And pay attention to the type of pain you’re experiencing! Listen to your body; you’ll be able to tell when the muscle is being worked well and when something’s wrong.

Follow a regimen. Sure, you could just start using your roller – but then you risk injury and ineffectiveness. Follow a foam roller exercise routine; there are tons online.

Our modern lifestyles often have us hunched over a laptop, which causes tons of muscle train. And if you’re always at the gym, you still might develop knots and pain. A foam roller targets every kind of superhero – and that’s why everyone needs one.

You’ve probably seen an item that looks like a fat pool noodle in your gym. That device is called a foam roller – and you need to get one. It’s cheap, small and most importantly it’s great for you.

Using a foam roller allows you to perform self-myofascial release, AKA self-massage. The myofascia system includes both your muscles and your fascia, the soft protective tissue that supports and protects your muscles. The problem? Due to injury or overuse, your muscles and your fascia can get stuck together and create what’s known as an adhesion. You probably know them as knots.

Unlike stretching, foam rolling lets you target these knots and loosen them by taking advantage of how your muscles work. First, you roll the foam under each muscle group for 20-30 seconds to loosen the muscle. You then press your body onto any sore spots for up to one minute to help break up the fibrous tissue.

But less pain isn’t the only health benefit of using a foam roller! Foam rolling also promotes healthy tissue growth and improves circulation. Because it’s essentially a DIY sports massage, it offers similar benefits like improved flexibility and reduced inflammation. Other benefits include less cellulite and improved range of motion. Finally, foam rolling involves conforming your body into different positions to target specific points. That means you’re strengthening as you stretch.

The other major benefit of a foam roller is its cost-effectiveness. You can buy a foam roller for as little as $15 and never have to shell out for a massage. Plus, one knot causes a muscle imbalance that can increase your risk of injury – so using it regularly could help prevent costly health problems.

Of course, foam rollers have their issues. For one thing, if you’re seriously injured, you still need to go see a doctor. The other major issue is that foam rollers hurt a lot – the way it hurts to massage a knot with your fingers. But that pain means it’s working – and that you probably need to keep going.

The bottom line? Unless you’re seriously injured, a foam roller benefits everybody – from the couch potato to the person who lives at a gym. So if you want to be healthier and feel less muscle pain, you need to buy a foam roller. Just make sure to follow general health concerns:

Talk to your doctor first. Before starting any new exercise regimen, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Chances are, you’ll get the A-OK.

Start slow. Experts recommend using a foam roller every other day for a few weeks. After that, you can start doing it every day.

Combine it with your workouts. Just using a foam roller is effective – but for best results, combine it with your workout as part of a warm-up.

Be careful. Like every exercise, there are things you need to watch out for when foam rolling. Never roll your lower back. And pay attention to the type of pain you’re experiencing! Listen to your body; you’ll be able to tell when the muscle is being worked well and when something’s wrong.

Follow a regimen. Sure, you could just start using your roller – but then you risk injury and ineffectiveness. Follow a foam roller exercise routine; there are tons online.

Our modern lifestyles often have us hunched over a laptop, which causes tons of muscle train. And if you’re always at the gym, you still might develop knots and pain. A foam roller targets every kind of superhero – and that’s why everyone needs one.